This is why cedar is the wood of choice for deck building in the GTA:
✔ Natural beauty Cedar is a warm golden to reddish brown in color and because it has a unique grain pattern, no two cedar decks ever look alike as each board used is different.
✔ Natural resistance to insects Cedar is naturally oil-rich and bug resistant. Termites and carpenter ants are also not attracted to cedar, which is a bonus here in Ontario.
✔ Lighter weight Cedar is a lighter material than pressure treated lumber, which means that our crews can handle the lumber more easily at the job site, especially if access in your Toronto backyard is limited.
✔ Good dimensional stability Cedar does not absorb and release moisture as readily as other softwoods, suggesting that it has a reduced tendency to warp or twist due to moisture fluctuations.
Knotty Cedar (What Most of Our Clients Pick)
The majority of the cedar decks we build in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area are made from knotty cedar, meaning that the boards have knots throughout them. This is very much a look that we have homeowners in Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill appreciate, because it looks real. It looks like wood. That’s the whole point of choosing cedar over composite, right?
Knotty cedar typically costs less than clear cedar. For most families, knotty cedar gives you the cedar experience but at a fraction of the cost.
Clear Cedar (Beautiful But Pricey)
Clear cedar has no knots. The boards are smooth and uniform with a clean, high-end look. It’s gorgeous. We won’t lie about that. But financially, clear cedar doesn’t make much sense for most deck projects.
Clear cedar boards cost roughly 40-60% more than knotty cedar. When you factor in that cedar decking is already almost double the price of pressure treated pine, going with clear cedar pushes your budget way up. For most homeowners in the GTA, knotty cedar gives you 90% of the look at a much better price point.
Yes, we can build your deck out of clear cedar. For the same money, you could have more deck built of knotty cedar or you could have an upgrade to a premium composite decking that requires no maintenance.
Let’s talk real numbers. Here’s what cedar deck installation actually costs in Toronto and the GTA:
- Materials only: $20 – $35 per square foot (knotty cedar)
- Installed (total project): $40 – $60 per square foot
- Typical 12×16 cedar deck: $9,000 – $14,000 installed
Now compare that to pressure treated wood at $30 – $50 per square foot installed. Cedar decking material is almost double the price of pressure treated pine. And when you add in the ongoing cost of stains and oils every year or two, the total cost of owning a cedar deck adds up fast.
Here’s something most deck contractors won’t tell you: when you compare the 10-year cost of a cedar deck (purchase price plus maintenance) against a basic composite deck, composite often comes out cheaper. That’s because composite needs almost zero upkeep. No stains, no oils, no sanding. Just a wash once in a while.
For a full breakdown of deck prices for all materials, check out our complete guide to deck costs in Toronto.
Decksforlife provides cedar deck installation across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. We’ve built cedar decks in just about every neighbourhood you can think of:
✔ Toronto: the Beaches, Leslieville, High Park, the Junction, Danforth, Riverdale, Roncesvalles, Lawrence Park, Leaside
✔ North York and Scarborough: From Bayview Village to Bluffs — we know these neighbourhoods well
✔ Vaughan and Richmond Hill: Lots of new builds with big backyards perfect for cedar decks
✔ Markham and Pickering: Growing communities where outdoor living spaces are in high demand
✔ Mississauga and Etobicoke: Lakefront properties and established homes getting deck upgrades
✔ Aurora, Newmarket, Bradford, and King City: Larger lots with room for big deck projects and pergolas
✔ Ajax: A growing area where we’ve done some beautiful backyard transformations
No matter where you are in the GTA, our crew will come to you for a free estimate.
Our Latest Cedar Deck Building Projects
We’ve been building decks across Toronto and the GTA since 2019. Cedar decks are one of our specialties, and we take pride in the quality of every single project we deliver. Here’s what sets us apart from other deck builders in the area:
✔Free 3D design — See your cedar deck in a realistic 3D model before we start building
✔Outstanding workmanship — Tighter joist spacing, pre-drilled screw holes, joist tape on every build. We don’t cut corners.
✔Honest advice — If cedar isn’t the right fit for your situation, we’ll tell you. We build with pressure treated, composite, PVC, and IPE too.
✔Full service — We also install railings, deck lighting, pergolas, privacy screens, and fences.
✔2-year labour warranty and full insurance including WSIB
✔Clear pricing with no surprise costs at the end
Cedar is a Soft Wood — It Scratches and Dents Easy
This is the biggest complaint we hear from cedar deck owners. Cedar is a softwood. Move a heavy patio chair across it? Scratch. Drop a barbecue tool? Dent. Kids dragging toys around? More scratches.
If you’ve got a busy family with dogs, kids, and lots of outdoor furniture, cedar is going to show wear faster than composite or even pressure treated wood. That’s just the nature of the material. Its not a defect — it’s what cedar is.
You MUST Maintain Cedar Right Away
Here’s where we see homeowners make the biggest mistake. They get their beautiful new cedar deck installed and they think “I’ll stain it next year.” Bad idea. Cedar needs protection from day one.
We recommend applying wood oil (not just stain) within the first 2-4 weeks after installation. Oil penetrates the wood fibres and protects from the inside out. Stain sits on top and can peel. Here’s what we suggest:
- Best option: High-quality penetrating wood oil (like Cutek or Penofin). Apply every 1-2 years.
- Good option: Semi-transparent wood stain. Apply every 2-3 years.
- Avoid: Solid stains or paint on cedar. They peel and trap moisture underneath.
If you skip the first oiling and leave your cedar deck bare through a Toronto winter, the wood will start to grey, crack, and check. Moisture gets in. Then you’ve got a much bigger job on your hands to bring it back.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs Add Up
Wood oil or stain on a typical deck will cost $300-$600 every 1-2 years, plus labor for scrubbing, sanding if necessary, and applying the oil or stain. Hiring a professional to do this will typically cost $500-$800 per maintenance application.
And over 10 years that’s another 3000-8000 dollars on top of what you already spent on your deck to maintain it. With a composite deck? That maintenance cost is basically nothing.
We build both cedar and composite decks, so we’ve got no reason to push you one way or the other. But here’s something we tell homeowners in Mississauga, Etobicoke, and across the GTA every week:
Based on the price — cedar decking is almost double the cost of pressure treated pine — and when you add in maintenance costs, sometimes it makes more sense to go with basic composite decking.
Think about it this way:
| Factor | Cedar Deck | Basic Composite Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost (200 sq ft, installed) | $9,000 – $13,000 | $11,000 – $16,000 |
| Annual maintenance cost | $200 – $500/year | $0 – $50/year |
| 10-year total cost | $12,000 – $18,000 | $11,000 – $16,500 |
| Scratch resistance | Low (soft wood) | High |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years (with maintenance) | 25-30 years |
If you love the look of real wood and you don’t mind putting in the work to maintain it, cedar is a great choice. If you’d rather spend your weekends relaxing on your deck instead of oiling it, composite is probably the way to go.
Either way, our deck company will build you something you can be proud of.
Ready to talk about your cedar deck project?
If your old deck is showing its age, or you’re dreaming about a new cedar outdoor space with that warm natural wood feel, let’s talk. Our cedar deck installers offer free consultations with no pressure, no pushy sales tactics – just honest conversation about whether cedar is the right fit for your property and budget. We’ll walk you through knotty vs. clear cedar, maintenance expectations, and whether composite might actually save you money long-term. Call us or fill out our contact form. Our cedar deck builders usually respond within a few hours during business days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Decks in Toronto
How much does a cedar deck cost in Toronto?
A cedar deck in Toronto typically costs $40 – $60 per square foot installed. A standard 12×16 deck runs about $9,000 – $14,000 with knotty cedar, basic cedar railings. Clear cedar adds 40-60% to the material cost. Check our full pricing guide for more details.
Is cedar better than pressure treated wood for decks?
Cedar looks nicer and has natural insect resistance. But it costs almost double what pressure treated pine costs and needs more maintenance. Pressure treated is tougher and lasts nearly as long with proper care. If budget is your main concern, pressure treated is the practical choice. Read more about pressure treated decking.
How long does a cedar deck last in Ontario?
With proper maintenance — oiling or staining every 1-2 years — a well-built cedar deck can last 15 years in Ontario’s climate. Without maintenance, you’re looking at 8-12 years before boards start failing. The key is starting your maintenance routine right after installation.
Should I stain or oil my cedar deck?
We recommend penetrating wood oils over stains for cedar. Oil soaks into the wood and protects from inside. Stain sits on the surface and tends to peel on cedar, especially in Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycles. If you do use stain, go with semi-transparent — never solid.
What's better — cedar or composite decking?
Depends on what matters most to you. Cedar gives you real wood warmth and natural beauty. Composite gives you zero maintenance and longer lifespan. When you factor in the 10-year cost including maintenance, basic composite often ends up costing the same or less than cedar. We build both and can help you decide what’s right for your home.
Can you build a cedar deck in winter in Toronto?
Yes, we can install cedar decks in early winter (October–November) while temperatures are still above freezing most days. The framing and installation work fine in cool weather. We wouldn’t recommend applying oil or stain when its below 10°C though, so the finishing might need to wait until spring.
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